Yesterday, Google boldly released the Google-branded NexusOne phone (manufactured by HTC), the closest device to date to compete with the iPhone in terms of features and flexibility. For those looking to enter the mobile application marketplace, this adds some serious momentum to Android OS's expansion into the smartphone market.
2010 will no doubt be a year of aggressive innovation as we start to see the power shift in the mobile market from the carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to carriers and manufacturers like Apple, Google, Motorola, and HTC.
While the iPhone paved the way for consumers choose a handset first before a carrier, AT&T's exclusivity in the US limited choice. The Motorola Droid created similar demand, and remains tethered to Verizon. Now, Google has taken the next step by making the NexusOne available either subsidized (with a 2-year T-Mobile contract) or unlocked for any network (with the expectation of adding other networks in the future).
What does this mean for companies and brands looking to get into the app market? Greater focus on Android and iPhone as the platforms of choice. The Android Market's 20,000 apps, along with the iPhone's 90,000+ apps far overshadow both BlackBerry's and Palm's 4,000 and 1,000 apps, respectively (source: BlackBerry App World and BillShrink). For companies and developers looking to build apps, focus on Android and iPhone.
Comments
Leave a Comment